Noah Boy
NOH-uh
“rest, comfort” · Hebrew
#2
Zephyr
BoyGreek· “west wind”
- Meaning
- west wind
- Origin
- Greek
- Pronunciation
- ZEF-ur
- Syllables
- 2
- US rank 2025
- #1,203
- US babies 2025
- 169
- Best rank
- #1,097 (2021)
- Peak year
- 2022
Meaning and origin of Zephyr
Zephyr is a Greek name that means “west wind”.
Zephyr comes from the Greek Zephyros, the god of the west wind, who was associated with the gentle breezes of spring. The word passed into English to mean a soft, mild wind. In Greek mythology Zephyrus was one of the four wind gods. As a given name Zephyr is a recent choice with a breezy, poetic feel. It has a distinctive Z sound and an airy image. Zeph is a natural nickname, and Zephyrus is the classical form.
Popularity over time
Zephyr first appears in US Social Security records in 1975. It has never ranked in the national top 1,000, which keeps it genuinely uncommon. Its best national rank was #1,097 in 2021, and the most babies received it in 2022, when 195 were named Zephyr. In 2025, 169 babies were named Zephyr, and it ranked #1,203 nationally. That is 32% more than ten years earlier, so it is clearly on the rise.
Its national rank moved from #5,913 in 2000, #1,833 in 2010, and #1,203 in 2025. Of the 2,528 US boys named Zephyr since records began, 43% were born in the 2020s, its biggest decade. The 2010s come next, with 1,070 babies.
Other boys' names that peaked around the same time include Kross, Eleazar, Kruz, Mazi, and Adiel.
Where it is most popular (2025)
In 2025, Zephyr ranked highest in Oregon, Washington, and California.
| State | Rank there | Babies |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | #603 | 6 |
| Washington | #638 | 11 |
| California | #744 | 36 |
| Kentucky | #813 | 5 |
| Colorado | #847 | 6 |
Gender, sound and spelling
About 82% of US babies named Zephyr over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
Zephyr is usually pronounced ZEF-ur, with two syllables. It has six letters, starts with Z and ends in “-yr”.
Middle names for Zephyr
A few middle names that flow with Zephyr: each avoids a matching first letter, a rhyme and a vowel clash where the names meet.
Sibling names for Zephyr
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Lists that include Zephyr
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Zephyr mean?
Zephyr is a Greek name that means “west wind”.
What is the origin of the name Zephyr?
Zephyr has Greek roots. Zephyr comes from the Greek Zephyros, the god of the west wind, who was associated with the gentle breezes of spring.
Is Zephyr a popular name?
Not especially. Zephyr ranked #1,203 in the US in 2025, which puts it outside the top 1,000.
Is Zephyr a boy or girl name?
Zephyr is mainly a boy's name. About 82% of US babies named Zephyr over the last 20 years were boys, with a small share of girls.
How do you pronounce Zephyr?
Zephyr is usually pronounced ZEF-ur. Stressed syllables are in capital letters.
Popularity figures come from US Social Security card applications (names given to at least five babies in a year, 1880 to 2025). How we source names and meanings